Prague witnessed a thrilling Saturday at the 2026 ČEZ Czech Darts Open as two of darts’ biggest stars, Luke Humphries and Luke Littler, roared back into form. Humphries, a three-time champion, showcased his class with a near-109 average against history-maker Beau Greaves, while World Number One Littler delivered a stunning 108.59 average in his victory. Alongside these titans, many other top players advanced, setting the stage for an electrifying finals day on Sunday.
The Lukes Reign Supreme in Prague
The 2026 ČEZ Czech Darts Open truly came alive on Saturday at the PVA Expo in Prague, with fans treated to a display of world-class darts. Headlining the action were two formidable talents, both named Luke, who reaffirmed their status at the top of the sport.
Humphries Dominates with Clinical Precision
World Number Two, Luke Humphries, a player with an impressive three previous titles at this very event, kicked off his campaign with an emphatic statement. He secured a 6-2 victory over the talented Beau Greaves, who had already made history earlier in the week by becoming the first woman ever to win a match on the European Tour stage. Humphries was in blistering form, achieving an average just shy of 109 points per three darts – a truly elite performance.
Despite Greaves taking the opening leg and later narrowing the gap, Humphries asserted his dominance by reeling off three consecutive legs to pull clear. He now advances to face Andrew Gilding on Sunday, who himself secured a commanding 6-2 win over Nathan Aspinall, sealed with a superb 122 checkout (a finish of 122 points with three darts).
Littler’s Explosive Return to European Tour
The darting sensation and World Number One, Luke Littler, also made an unforgettable return to the European Tour stage. The reigning World Matchplay champion – a title he successfully defended – delivered a stunning 108.59 average in his 6-4 victory against Germany’s Niko Springer. Littler initially led 5-2 but had to dig deep as Springer fought back to 5-4 before the young prodigy closed out the match. His next challenge will be against Krzysztof Ratajski, who defeated Jermaine Wattimena 6-2.
Other Stars Shine: Key Victories Across the Board
Beyond the headline acts, Saturday saw a host of other prominent players secure their spots in Sunday’s knockout stages:
- Gian van Veen continued his strong form against Jeffrey de Graaf, securing his fourth consecutive 6-1 victory against him. He will now face Ross Smith, who also swept aside Stephen Burton with a 6-1 scoreline.
- The formidable Welsh duo, Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price, both progressed with comfortable 6-2 wins. Clayton showcased his finishing prowess with impressive checkouts of 156 and 124 against Damon Heta, while Price demonstrated consistent excellence with an average over 103 in his win over Callan Rydz. Price is set to play Cameron Menzies (who beat Gary Anderson 6-3), and Clayton will take on Keane Barry (who overcame Chris Dobey 6-4).
- Dutch legend Michael van Gerwen kept his pursuit of a maiden Czech Darts Open title alive with a 6-4 success against Mario Vandenbogaerde. He will face fellow Dutchman Wessel Nijman, who narrowly edged out Martin Schindler in a deciding leg, despite Schindler hitting a spectacular 170 checkout (the highest possible finish with three darts).
- An all-Irish clash is set for Sunday as Josh Rock and William O’Connor both advanced, beating Ryan Joyce and Ryan Searle respectively.
- Closing out the evening session, Luke Woodhouse delivered a strong performance with a 6-4 victory over Stephen Bunting, maintaining an average over 105. He will now face Danny Noppert, who secured a decisive 6-1 win over Kevin Doets.
Sunday: A Darts Extravaganza Awaits
The stage is now perfectly set for a thrilling conclusion to the 2026 ČEZ Czech Darts Open. Sunday’s schedule promises a darts extravaganza, featuring the Last 16 matches in the afternoon, followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the grand final in a packed evening session.
All eyes will be on Luke Humphries as he chases an incredible third consecutive title in Prague, but with such a high-calibre field, the trophy is truly up for grabs.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
